Pastor's Corner

2018 04-15 Fr. Joel Konzen Ordained Auxilary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Atlanta

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From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy   Earlier this month, Fr. Joel Konzen was ordained auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  Fr. Konzen is a priest of the Society of Mary (the Marists) and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. He joined the staff of Marist School in Atlanta in 1980, and he…

2018 04-08 The Graces of His Mercy are Greater Than the Stains of our Sins

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From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy This Sunday we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday.  On this day, one week after Easter, we are reminded why Jesus rose from the dead: and one of the reasons was to shower the world with divine mercy. This is what the Church has to say in part about this great…

2018 04-01 As We Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, We Are All Challenged to Truly Live the Faith We Boldly Proclaim

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From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy   This Sunday we celebrate Easter Sunday.  We proclaim the glory of the Resurrection.  The suffering of the cross gives way to the glory of the Resurrection.  Just as we share in the suffering of Christ in this life, we hope to one day share in His glory.  Through…

2018 03-04 Congratulations to Cathy Schneider and Jake Blair as Woman and Teen of the Year for Saint Brigid Parish

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From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy   On Saturday, March 17th, Saint Patrick’s Day, Archbishop Gregory will celebrate Mass at Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Conyers honoring the Women and Teens of the Year for each of those Parishes and Missions which are members of the Archdiocese of Atlanta Council of Catholic Women.  A…

2018 03-25 Pope Francis Called on the Faithful to Focus on the Importance of Holy Week

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From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy   This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday as we focus on the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  Palms are blessed at Mass and distributed to the faithful to be used for personal devotion throughout the year. In our faith tradition, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week…

2018 03-11 The Feastday of St. Patrick of Ireland

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From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy Next Saturday we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.  Major parades take place in New York, and Savannah, and Atlanta celebrating the life and contributions of Saint Patrick to the Catholic faith and to Irish culture.  It is a special day for many of our priests who were born in Ireland…

2018 03-18 Heed the Challenge of Our Holy Father to Avail Ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Lenten Season

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 From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   Our Holy Father Pope Francis has called Lent a time for repentance, spiritual renewal, conversion, and transformation.  Since becoming Pope, he has placed great emphasis on the need for mercy. He has urged us to avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation when appropriate, acknowledging that we are…

2018 01-28 “Go, Therefore and Make Disciples” – Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2018

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 From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   Archbishop Gregory often reminds us that the Archdiocese of Atlanta shares in the mission of the universal Church.  One way it does this is through the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.  Archbishop Gregory stated that the Appeal “…is one way for our parishioners to participate in the mission of the…

2018 02-18 Our Lenten Season Has Begun

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 From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   Our Lenten journey has begun, and Lent is a good time to focus on what is truly important in our lives.  Our Lenten experience should include a clear and compelling witness to our faith. It is a time to reflect on our lives, and discipline ourselves so we…

2018 02-11 For this Lenten Season Let us Focus on Jesus and Answer our Call to Discipleship

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 From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   This coming Wednesday in the Church year is Ash Wednesday.  The day derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of people as a reminder of human mortality and as a sign of repentance and contrition.  Many Churches are full as people flock to…

2018 02-25 Lenten Parish Mission with Dr. Allen Hunt, “4 Habits That Will Transform Your Life”

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 From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   This week we will host a Lenten Parish Mission from Monday February 26th to Wednesday February 28th.  A Parish Mission can provide an opportunity for transformation and spiritual growth as we strive to renew and strengthen our relationship with the Lord.  The Mission will be presented by Dr….

2018 01-21 “Treat Each Life as Precious Beyond Measure” – Mass for the Unborn & Holy Hour for Life

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 From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   This Monday Archbishop Gregory will celebrate a special Mass for the Unborn at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. In addition to this Mass, we will celebrate a Holy Hour for Life that same evening in our Day Chapel at Saint Brigid. Details concerning the Mass…

2018 01-14 We Honor the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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 From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   This Monday as a nation we will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day and many people will honor the legacy of Dr. King for his work in promoting civil rights in this country.  Dr. King played a crucial role in ending legal segregation and enhancing the voting…

2018 01-07 The Epiphany and the Dignity of All God’s Children at Mustard Seed Communities

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 From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany.  As we celebrate this feast, we recall the experience of the wise men who were on a difficult journey of faith to encounter the Lord.  As we know, they persevered as they faced many obstacles on their journey, including…

2017 12-31 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

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 From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Vatican Radio reported that in a homily our Holy Father Pope Francis challenged families to pray together and to live lives of Christian witness.  He spoke of the Christian family as an…

2017 12-24 The Fourth Sunday of Advent and the Nativity of the Lord- Come Before your God in Joy!

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  From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   As we know, at Christmas, Christ comes into our world as a sign of the love God has for us. Our Advent liturgies, Parish Advent Mission, and emphasis on the Mass has helped us complete a wonderful time of preparation as we go forward in hope, thanksgiving,…

2017 12-17 The Third Sunday of Advent – Come Before your God in Faith

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   This Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday, as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child. This is also the third week of our focus on the Mass.  This week we emphasize the virtue of faith as we encounter…

2017 12-10 The Second Sunday of Advent – Come Before your God in Thanksgiving

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   We now enter into the Second Week of Advent. Our theme for the Mass this week is, “Come Before your God in Thanksgiving.”  We have much to be thankful for including our faithful and loving community. In this week’s Gospel, John the Baptist proclaims, “Prepare the Way of the…

2017 12-03 We Begin our Celebration of Advent- Come Before Your God in Hope

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   This Sunday, we begin our celebration of Advent. We welcome this great Season in joyful anticipation for the coming of our Savior into our lives in a profound and personal way. I encourage you to focus very carefully on what this Season means to you. It is a…

2017 11-26 We Invite you to Attend the Saint Brigid Parish Advent Mission 2017

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   A Parish Mission can provide an opportunity for spiritual renewal. It is a time when we can pause and reflect on our call to discipleship as we continue on our journey of faith. It can also provide an opportunity to change hearts and transform lives as we strengthen…

2017 11-12 Assure our Veterans of our Gratitude and Prayers

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   As we know this Saturday we celebrated Veterans Day. At this time, we give thanks in a special way for the many freedoms we enjoy as Americans. As we reflect on these freedoms, we should also remember our men and women who served in the military and who…

2017 11-19 I Give Thanks for our Faith Community at Saint Brigid

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   This Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. We are invited to pause and reflect in a special way to give thanks for the many blessings the Lord has bestowed on us. As we enjoy our Thanksgiving Day meal, we are prayerfully invited to reflect on our blessings and share…

2017 11-05 All Saints and All Souls Day

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   On Wednesday, November 1st, we celebrated All Saints Day.  Our Church recognizes All Saints Day as a Holy Day of Obligation which reflects its great significance.  We remember in a very special way on this day the many saints who have come before us, holy men and women…

2017 07-16 The Knights of Columbus Promotes and Defends the Teachings of the Catholic Church

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   For many years the fraternal organization, the Knights of Columbus, has done so much to promote and defend the teachings of the Catholic Church.  The Knights stress the importance of the family, and articulate and defend the rights of the unborn, the sanctity of the marriage bond, and…

2017 07-23 At Saint Brigid, We Are Truly Appreciative of the Work of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   Saint Leo the Great is quoted as saying that “any time is the right time for charity. Where God finds charity with its loving concern, there He recognizes the reflection of His own Fatherly care.”  This call for charity is also reflected in the Book of the Prophet…

2017 07-30 Through your Generosity, Saint Brigid Benefits Directly From the Annual Appeal

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   At this time we are in the midst of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2017.  During the month of July, the Archdiocese has sent reminder notices urging parishioners to support the Appeal.  A substantial portion of the Appeal provides for the funding for our Archdiocese Vocation program.  Through…

2017 08-06 A Family that Prays Together Stays Together

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   Many families have recently returned from summer vacations and their children will soon be starting school again, and will be settling into a certain routine. This may be a good time to remind families of the need for daily prayer in the midst of their busy lives. Our…

2017 04-09 The Penance Service and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

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From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy   During this season of Lent, in order to provide an additional opportunity for repentance, we will have a Penance Service at Saint Brigid this Monday at 7:00 pm.  At the Penance Service, we will have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation,…

2017 08-13 Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, Pray for Us.

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From our pastor Father Neil Herlihy   This Tuesday we celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary. Our Catechism states that “the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the…

2017 02-05 Welcome our New Deacon Ron Leidenfrost

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From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy   The Roman Catholic Church provides opportunities for men to serve as Permanent Deacons. Most of these men are married or widowed, and they are ordained as ministers usually after a rigorous period of five years of training and formation.  One of our parishioners, Ron Leidenfrost, was ordained as…